After the defeat to Manchester United, Arsenal returned in time and completed their mission fully in the next 2 rounds of the Premier League. They scored 7 goals against Leeds and Sunderland, as well as not conceding a single goal.
In those 7 goals, Viktor Gyokeres contributed 3 goals in many different styles. Thus, from the beginning of the season until now in the Premier League, the Swedish striker has scored 8 goals.
Gyokeres's start in London was not easy at all. He was scrutinized a lot because of the high transfer price from Sporting Lisbon.
Especially in the context of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus being injured a lot at the beginning of the season, Gyokeres was placed too much expectation and the 27-year-old star's runs felt very heavy.
In the first 20 matches in the Premier League, in 17 starts, Gyokeres only scored 5 goals, of which only 2 came from open balls.
In Arsenal's first 9 Premier League games, Gyokeres played the full 90 minutes in 7 matches. After that, he suffered a muscle injury in the 10th match, giving Mikel Merino a chance to start in attack.
But it was not until recent weeks that Mikel Arteta could use Havertz, Gyokeres and Jesus together. In the away match against Leeds, Jesus was the one who brought the difference. And in the home match against Sunderland, that person was Gyokeres.
It would be more appropriate if he was brought on in an open match in terms of the game, this depends on the opponent and the context of the match" - Mikel Arteta shared after the victory against Sunderland.
In Mikel Arteta's words, Gyokeres should come on as a substitute and in the context that the opponent is ready to play head-to-head with Arsenal. This often comes from the fact that opponents are led by The Gunners, then forced to push up to find a goal.
At that time, Arsenal's quick counter-attacks will be fully utilized. Gyokeres is also less likely to fall into a position where he has to "get caught" in the penalty area. Because his ball handling skills in narrow space are not good, having more space will be extremely beneficial.
The match against Inter in the Champions League and the recent victory against Sunderland in the Premier League have proven that. When Gyokeres is sidelined and maintains his best fitness, he can create different moments.
Kai Havertz's return and starting in the "number 10" position right behind the center forward also supports Gyokeres a lot. The German striker has both attracted the opponent's defense and can also assist Gyokeres himself.
Not only Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli also knows how to coordinate very well, he is the one who assisted Gyokeres in the match against Sunderland, showing that the ability to coordinate between the two is not impossible.
Gyokeres feeling happy and confident when always ready to enter the field from the bench is a very good sign for Mikel Arteta. He always needs the sacrifice of the players, all for the common goal and everyone understands what the task is.
Gyokeres was bought to start in attack but is now also ready to sit on the bench to come on as a substitute and create moments. Gyokeres' goal assisted by Martinelli in the match against Sunderland was the 16th G/A that Arsenal's reserve players have done since the beginning of the season in the Premier League, showing Arteta's effective personnel rotation.
From the beginning of the season to the end of 2025 in the Premier League, Arsenal leads the league in the number of matches leading by 1 goal when there are 15 minutes left (8 matches). Therefore, The Gunners' matches in this period are often very tense in the final minutes.
Since the beginning of 2026, this number has been 0. Although Arsenal has drawn 2 and lost 1 since January 1. From 2026 to now, the feeling of being eliminated by the opponent at any time in the final minutes is almost gone.
From the beginning of the season to the end of 2025, Arsenal only had 6 matches leading the opponent by 2 goals when the time was 15 minutes left. Only 6 matches since the beginning of 2026, that number has added 3, proving the more effectiveness in playing and the safety of the score.
Therefore, with Gyokeres' first goal in the 66th minute in the victory over Sunderland, Arsenal and their fans can celebrate.
In a season with countless difficulties, the recent victory against Sunderland was like a luxury, with Gyokeres excellently fulfilling his role.
